A National Dialogue, Involving Interfaith Leaders, Hosted by UIN Jakarta to Strengthen Religious Pluralism
Diorama Room, UIN Online News — The Directorate of Islamic Higher Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs organized an anniversary in collaboration with UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on Saturday (August 16, 2025).
This event embodied a national dialogue in commemoration of the 80 Years of Indonesian independence—a moment to reinforce national unity with the Spirit of Diversity.
The event was attended by Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D.; Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A.; Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Ali Munhanif, M.A., Ph.D.; faculty members; the academic community of UIN Jakarta; and respective guests from interfaith campuses in the Jakarta region.
In his address, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Ali Munhanif, M.A., Ph.D., underscored the need of utilizing the momentum of independence to foster unity and interfaith compassion.
"This national dialogue functions as a platform to reaffirm our national commitment. Therefore, we should cultivate diversity rather than resist it," he stated.
The national dialogue session was facilitated by Prof. Arif Zamhari, M.A., Ph.D., a professor of Religious Sociology and Head of the Center for Religious Moderation at UIN Jakarta, who underscored the significance of interfaith dialogue to enhance pluralism.
"Independence Day celebrations serve not only to commemorate history but also to foster unity among faiths for a harmonious and peaceful Indonesia," he stated.
This dialogue, conducted on the UIN Jakarta campus, convened leaders from diverse religious universities and representatives from the Confucian High Council, Sriwijaya State Buddhist College, Hindu Dharma Nusantara College, Katwuri Baptist Theological College, and Catholic Philosophy College.
Ir. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo, M.M., the General Chairman of the Indonesian Confucian High Council (Matakin), points out the importance of love in national existence. Religion should extend beyond rituals to cultivate individuals into virtuous human beings.
"Essential virtues such as piety, humility, loyalty, truthfulness, and modesty must be upheld. Our responsibility extends beyond mere tolerance; thus, we must promote virtue for the advancement of the nation," he elucidated.
From a Buddhist viewpoint, Dr. Edi Ramawijaya Putra, the Head of the State Buddhist College (STABN) Sriwijaya, emphasized that the dialogue should not conclude within the confines of the forum.
"This national dialogue should not be limited in space but also in time. We all bear the same responsibility of upholding both unity and diversity as our founding fathers did. Through religious adherence, we can progress and evolve in creating a better future for every Indonesian believer," he conveyed.
Made Wirawan, M.Fil.H., the representative of Hinduism, reiterated the importance of unity as a fundamental principle of the faith.
"Taplomasi, you are me and I am you. We are all siblings. Hinduism advocates the Tri Hita Karana (Three Reasons for Prosperity). The alignment of harmony connects with the divine, humanity, and the natural world. Every violence directed at others equates to violence inflicted upon oneself," he clarified
Dr. Gandi Wibowo, the spokesman of the Christian community, emphasized the significance of academic freedom. UIN Jakarta can exemplify a welcoming representation of Islam.
"Religious moderation and Pancasila are ethical principles that must be upheld. Proverbs 1:7 asserts that the foundation of wisdom is reverence for the Lord. Academic freedom is essential, and dissent in the classroom is prevalent, yet I gained significant knowledge here at UIN Jakarta," he stated.
In his concluding remarks, Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., of UIN Jakarta, underscored his dedication to preserving national values and fostering interfaith harmony.
"UIN Jakarta will persist as an accessible and welcoming institution of knowledge for everyone, serving as a paradigm in fostering diversity for the purpose of national unity," he asserted.
The celebration ended with the Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, reading the National Declaration, which included five commitments: making Indonesia a welcoming and peaceful country, adding eco-theological ideas to education, connecting religious harmony with caring for the environment, supporting religious moderation as a way to unite, and protecting nature as a responsibility to care for others.
Subsequent to the announcement, the event proceeded with an initiative for houses of worship nearby by engaging students, faculty, and religious leaders in mass cleaning activity. This deed emerged as a significant emblem of interfaith unity in preserving the integrity of places of worship and strengthening camaraderie among communities.
TThis event is a collaboration between the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and the Directorate of Islamic Religious Higher Education (Diktis) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Indonesian Independence Festival, which will take place from August 15 to 17, 2025.
Alongside the national dialogue, the activities encompassed a public exercise, which was conducted on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:30 AM at the Student Center Field. The culmination of the event will occur on Sunday, August 17, 2025, with the flag-raising ceremony and Satyalancana Karya Satya awarding at the UIN Jakarta Field at 7:00 AM.
(Kareena Auliya J./Zaenal M./Fauziah M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Aqilah Qurratulaini)